Rotary combustion reciprocating piston engine

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to an internal combustion rotary engine having a plurality of rotating piston plates slidably mounted to reciprocate during rotation of the rotor wheel housing which is adapted to receive the piston plates. For each piston arrangement there is a corresponding compressor assembly for compressing fuel into a combustion chamber wherein the fuel is ignited in a conventional manner. Each piston is provided with a piston control gear whereby the piston plates may be positioned within the rotary housing to cause the proper stable rotation thereof. A piston cylinder is formed by the channel portions of the rotor housing and a corresponding stationary channel housing wherein the piston plate may travel along the piston cylinder&#39;&#39;s radial length, thereby causing rotation of the central drive shaft.

Waited States Patent 91 Sheung ROTARY COMBUSTION RECIPROCATING PISTON ENGINE Chu Yuen Sheung, 5429 11th Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif. 90043 Filed: Feb. 8, 1971 Appl. No; 113,459

Inventor:

US. Cl. ..123/8.31, 4l7/48l, 418/264 Int. Cl.....-. ..F02b 53/06 Field of Search ..l23/8.25, 8.29, 8.27, 123/831, 8.37, 8.39, 8.41; 60/3961;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1898 White ..4l7/48l 10/1910 Wilber..... ..l23/8 31 X 12/1915 Floyd 60/39.6l

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France 123/825 1 Apr. 10, 1973 308,808 3/1929 Great Britain "123/839 Primary ExaminerAllan D. Herrmann Att0rneyMing Y. Moy

This disclosure is directed to an internal combustion rotary engine having a plurality of rotating piston plates slidably mounted to reciprocate during rotation ABSTRACT of the rotor wheel housing which is adapted to receive the piston plates. For each piston arrangement there is a corresponding compressor assembly for compressing fuel into a combustion chamber wherein the fuel is ignited in a conventional manner. Each piston is provided with a piston control gear whereby the piston plates may be positioned within the rotary housing to cause the proper stable rotation thereof. A piston cylinder is formed by the channel portions of the rotor housing and a corresponding stationary channel housing wherein the piston plate may travel along the piston cylinders radial length, thereby causing rota tion of the central drive shaft.

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ROTARY COMBUSTION RECIPROCATING PISTON ENGINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an internal combustion engine and, more particularly, to an internal combustion, rotary reciprocating piston engine.

2. Description of the Prior Art At the present time, there are a great variety of internal combustion engines under many different names and sizes. Each of these various types of internal combustion engines has certain features and principles common with the others, the major three universal, basic requirements being air, fuel and ignition in order to render any of these engines operable. For each internal combustion engine there areas many end results. That is, different displacements, various horsepower,

burning rates, rpm requirements and, so on. However,

in recent years an important problem has arisen with internal combustion engines, especially the reciprocating type wherein cylinders, pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft are required. This problem is smog.

Not only have these types of engines become very complicated and expensive to manufacture, but they are inefficient in theirfuel burning capacity; This lack of complete burning of fuel creates an air pollution material which rapidly mixes with the atmosphere to create what is knownv as smog.

In recent years,,many various apparatuses have been devised to be installed with the internal combustionuengine for the purpose ofcontrolling the unburned contaminants that are discharged therefrom. However, even with such, aidsasexhaust recirculation, catalytic converters and new carburetors, to:name a. few, contamination has not been controlled. The engines have become inefficient to operateand the performance of the engine, also, is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an internal combustion rotary enginehaving a plurality of reciprocating pistons in the form of plates. These plates are slidably mounted within arotating wheel housing which is fixedly supported byagmain-shaft. Each" piston plate is provided with reciprocating means. comprising a piston plate control gear whichxisoperated'iby, means of a cam plate and camfollower. The;cam' follower is eccentrically securedto the-controlgear causing. rotary motion of thetooth gear, producing rectilinearmotion of the piston plate.

' Fuel is fed through a.manifold intake valve into a compressor means and is compressed therein by a rotatable compressor plate which forces the fuel into a combustion chamber. through a communicating passage, the flow beingoperably. controlled by a combustion intake valve.

At this time, the piston platesis in.atlaterally-extended.

position forming. a closed: chamber. of theplate as it.

contacts the stationary. cylinder wall .within an arcuate piston cylinder.

The arcuatepiston cylinderiscomprised. of a stationary, outer semi-circular. housing and an innermatching, rotating semi-circular wallof the rotatable wheel housing.

When the fuel is exploded by means of a spark plug, the piston plate is forced downwardly within the arcuate piston cylinder. At it reaches the bottom of the stroke, the reciprocating means connected to the piston plate causes the piston to withdraw into the wheel housing, allowing the exhaust to be vented through an exhaust pipe provided at the lower end of the arcuate cylinder.

There is also provided control means to actuate the fuel intake valve leading to the compressor, as well as similar control means to actuate the intake valve, allowing fuel into the combustion chamber.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The present invention has for an important object a provision wherein all fuel is completely burned within the engine chamber.

It is another object of the invention to provide an internal combustion engine that eliminates discharge and emission of contaminents into the atmosphere.

It is further another object of the invention to provide an internal combustion engine with rotating pistons which reciprocate as they rotate.

It is a further'object of the invention to provide an internal combustion rotary engine having a greatly improved operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an internal combustion rotary engine that has a more dependable and durable life.

It is another object of the invention to provide an internal combustion rotary engine that is simple and rugged in construction.

It. is still another object of the invention to provide an engine of the character described that is light weight per horsepower and having a suitable size and shape.

It is a further object of the inventionto provide a rotary internal combustion engine having relatively few operatingparts.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an engine of this character that is easy to service and maintain.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufficiently referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings, which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that variations may be made without. departing. from the principles disclosed and I contemplate the employment of any structures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a transverse view, partially in section, showing the engine in position for firing;

FIG. 2 is a sectionalview taken on line 22 of FIG.

FIG. 3' is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion.of the. engine showing the compressor and piston assembly ready for firing;

FIg. 4 is anenlarged sectional view of the lower portion ofthe engine with the piston plate retracted and the compressor unit positioned to receive fuel therein;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are related schematic views showing the invention in four operating positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated an internal combustion engine, generally indicated at 10, having a central crank shaft 12 journaled at each free end by bearings 14 which are supported within the outer engine housing or shell 16. Positioned intermediate the free ends of the shaft and fixed thereto is a rotary wheel housing, generally indicated at 18, said rotary wheel housing comprising a central body having a bore 22 therethrough to receive said shaft therein. The shaft 12 may be fixed to said wheel housing by any suitable means, such as a conventional key and key way 24 and 25, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3

Extending radially outwardly from said body portion 20 are a plurality of spider arms or spokes 26 which are integrally formed therewith and the opposite ends thereof being integrally attached to an annular channel member 28, said channel member having a semi-circular, C-shaped configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

At least two of the arms or spokes 26 are provided with hollow bores 30, each bore extending the length of each spoke and having a closed end 31 and an opened end 32. The arms or spokes 26, which are provided with said bores, are positioned diametrically opposite each other, as shown in FIG. 3. Along one longitudinal wall of the bore 30, there is provided a longitudinal groove 34 centrally positioned therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, there is shown a piston means comprising a plate 36 adapted to be received within said bore 30 of the spoke 26. It should be noted that, since each piston assembly is identical in construction and operation, the description of one will suffice. The piston plate is generally rectangular in shape, having a portion of its upper face 38, that is the portion adjacent the combustion chamber 40, inclined downwardly, providing the required area needed in the combustion chamber 40. The outer free end of the plate 36 is arcuately formed to fit the circular piston cylinder, indicated generally at 42, in which the piston plate traverses during the engine operation. In order to have proper compression throughout the stroke of the piston plate, there is provided in the arcuate end thereof a groove 43 in which there is disposed a sealing means, shown as an arcuate sealing band or rib 44. The rib 44 seats against the inner stationary wall 45 of the cylinder 42 as the piston plate 36 is forced rearwardly outwardly from the wheel housing 18.

The arcuate piston cylinder 42 is defined by the stationary, C-shaped wall 45 and said matching C-shaped channel member 28 of the rotary wheel 18. That is, channel member 28 is rotatably sealed to said stationary cylinder wall 45 as the rotor wheel housing rotates with the shaft 12 about the axis thereof.

Positioned above each combustion chamber 40, there is a compressor means, generally indicated at 46, having an intake manifold valve 47 which allows the flow of the fuel from a carburetor (not shown) into the compressor chamber 48. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the compressor means comprises a somewhat spheroidal housing adapted to receive a shaft 48 therethrough, said shaft having attached along one side thereof a compressor plate 49 and formed to be received for rotatable movement within the chamber 48. A more detailed description of the operation of said plate will be further described.

Disposed between said combustion chamber 40 and said compressor chamber 48 is a combustion intake valve 50 having a passageway 51 which communicates therebetween and allows the compressed fuel to enter the combustion chamber 40 at a proper sequence. When the mixed fuel is disposed within the combustion chamber 40, the intake valve 50 closes, permitting the burning of the fuel by means of a conventional spark plug 52 mounted within one wall of the chamber 40.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is provided a means for oscillating plate 49 about the axis of the shaft 48. Said means includes a first main spur gear 54 fixedly supported on said shaft 12 and a second spur gear 56 driven by the first gear 54, the second gear being rotatably mounted to a fixed shaft 57. A rod 58 is eccentrically connected to said second gear 56 and its opposite end to a sector gear or follower 59. The sector gear is rotatably supported to the spheroidal housing of the compressor chamber 48 and is arranged so as to cooperate with the compressor gear 60 which is fixedly mounted to the shaft 48 of the compressor means 46. As the shaft 12 is rotated, the gear 54, in turn, rotates the spur gear 56, producing an alternating traverse movement of the rod 58 and thereby causing an oscillating movement of the sector gear 59. Since the sector gear meshes with the compressor gear 60, the compressor plate 49 is imparted with a sweeping motion within the compressor chamber 48. FIG. 3, for example, shows the compressor plate moving in the direction of the arrow 61, wherein FIG. 4 illustrates the plate 49 in a complete movement in which the chamber has become filled with fuel just prior to compression thereof.

Each intake valve is sequentially operated by actuating means, indicated generally at 62 and 64, respectively. The intake manifold valve 47 is actuated by having an operable connection with one arm of the bell crank 65, while the opposite end of the bell crank acts as a cam follower along the cam surface of a cam plate 66. A back-and-forth motion is imparted to the bell crank lever 65, causing the intake manifold to open and close during the proper sequence of the operation of the engme.

Similarly, the actuating means 64 operates the combustion intake valve 50 in the same manner as described above. However, a cam follower 67 is attached to one arm of the bell crank 68, while the opposite arm thereof is operably connected to the combustion intake valve 50. The cam follower is operably received within a cam groove 69 disposed adjacent the radial edge of the cam plate 66, said cam plate 66 being fixedly attached to the main shaft 12 for rotation therewith.

Positioned inwardly from and adjacent to the valve cam plate 66 is a piston plate control cam 70 that is fixed from rotational movement by struts 72. The inner side of the cam plate 70 is provided with a cam groove 74 adjacent its outer radial edge for reception of a cam follower or crank pin 75. Said cam follower is secured to a gear segment 76 and is mounted eccentric to the axis of said gear 76. As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the gear segment is movably mounted to the rotor wheel housing 18, whereby the gear 76 rotates as a unit with the wheel housing. However, as the assembly rotates with the shaft 12, the cam follower 75 is actuated as it traverses the cam groove 74 of the stationary cam plate 70. Since the eccentric cam follower 75 is secured to the piston control gear 76, oscillating backand-forth motion is imparted therein. The gear 76 is disposed just below the bore 30 of the spoke 26 and positioned centrally therein, so that the teeth of the gear project upwardly through an opening 77 and mesh with the toothed rack 78, said rack being an integral part of the underside of the piston plate 36. The

toothed rack 78 is slidably received within the groove 34 of the bore 30. As the crank pin 75 works in the slot 74 of the cam plate 70, a reciprocating rectilinear motion is imparted to the rack at the bottom by the vibrationof the toothed sector of the piston control gear 76. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the piston plate 36 is positioned in a fully-extended position because of the crank arm being located along that part of the cam slot 74 furthest from the axis of the shaft 12. Therefore, as the crank arm or cam follower 75 traverses along and within the slot 74 to a point as shown in FIG. 4, the crank arm 75 is now at its closest point to the axis of the shaft 12, causing the sector gear 76 to rotate about its axis, withdrawing the piston plate 36 totally within the bore 30, thereby allowing exhaust to escape to atmosphere through an exhaust pipe 80 which is provided at the bottom of the cylinder 42.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated the housing or shell 16 as having hot air exhaust ports 81, whereby the main portion of the engine is capable of being air cooled. As is typical in most engines, there is provided at the lower portion of the housing 16 an oil tank 82 whereby oil may be supplied to the engine parts in a conventional manner (not shown).

There is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 6a through 6d four positions of the piston plates and the compressor plates during one cycle of rotation.

First, in FIG. 6a the piston plates are shown fully retracted within the wheel housing 18 just prior to being extended into the cylinders 42 and the compressor plates 49, rotating to their fur'therrnost position away from the valveintakes. As this occurs, the manifold valve intake is openedto allow the air and fuel mixture to enter the compressor chamber 48 while the combustion chamber intake valve is closed.

FIG. 6b illustrates the piston plates extended within the cylinders 42, forming a combustion chamber 40. At this time the valve 50 is opened and the fuel mixture is compressed into the chamber 40.

In FIG. 6c the pistons are positioned in a rotating stroke, just after firing of the fuel. The compressor plate 49 at this time moves again to allow the fuel mixture to enter into the chamber 48 through the open valve 47.

In FIG. 6d the completion of the piston stroke has occurred and the piston plates are retracted, allowing the exhaust to flow through the exhaust pipes or ports 80. This sequence of operation occurs twice during every one revolution of the wheel housing 18.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the embodiment hereinafter described being merely for the purpose of illustration.

Iclaim:

1. An internal combustion, rotary fuel burning engine comprising:

a sealed engine housing enclosing said engine;

a main shaft;

a rotatable wheel housing fixed to said shaft for rotation therewith;

a plurality of piston plates slidably supported within said rotatable wheel housing;

a plurality of combustion chambers; 7

means for compressing said fuel into said combustion chambers;

reciprocating means for reciprocating said piston plates radially outwardly and inwardly of the axis of said wheel housing, wherein said reciprocating means comprises:

a gear rack integral with each of said piston plates;

a gear rotatably supported to said wheel housing;

a cam follower attached to said gear; and

a fixed cam having a cam groove adapted to receive said cam follower;

a manifold intake valve disposed within said means for compressing said fuel;

a combustion chamber intake valve communicating between said compressing means and said combustion chamber;

a first means for sequentially operating said manifold intake valve;

a second means for sequentially operating said combustion chamber intake valve;

said first and second means for sequentially operating said intake valves comprise:

a rotatable cam plate fixedly secured to said main shaft for rotation therewith;

said first means including a bell crank operably connected to said manifold intake valve and said rotatable cam plate;

said second means including a bell crank operably connected to said combustion intake valve and said rotatable cam plate;

an arcuate piston cylinder, the upper portion thereof receiving said ignition means and the lower end thereof having an exhaust part therein;

said arcuate piston cylinder having a first arcuate portion fixed to said rotary housing for rotation therewith, and a second arcuate portion being an integral stationary part of said engine housing; and

operable means for operating said compressor means.

2. An internal combustion, rotary engine as recited in claim 1 wherein said operable means for said combustion chamber comprises:

a first spur gear fixedly mounted to said main shaft for rotation therewith;

a second spur gear positioned to operate with said a connecting rod;

a sector gear operably connected to said second spur gear by said connecting rod to impart an oscillating movement to said sector gear; and

a third spur gear fixed to said shaft of said compressor means whereby said compressor plate is sequentially oscillated back and forth within said compressor housing.

3. An internal combustion, rotary engine as recited in claim 2, wherein said compressor means comprises:

a spheroidal housing;

an oscillating shaft centrally positioned therein; and

a compressor plate fixedly secured to one side of said shaft for oscillation therewith;

said plate having a semicircular configuration to match said spherical housing.

4. An internal combustion, rotary engine as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said piston plates comprises:

a generally rectangular flat plate, having a portion of the upper face adjacent the combustin chamber combustion downwardly and the outer free end thereof arcuately formed to fit said arcuate stationary portion of said piston cylinder.

5. An internal combustion, rotary engine as recited in claim 4 wherein said piston plate includes:

an arcuate sealing means disposed in said outer free end of said piston plate.

6. An internal combustion rotary engine as recited in claim 5 wherein said combustion chamber is defined by the lower portion of said compressor means and said inclined face portion of said piston plate, whereby the fuel mixture is directly compressed therein prior to ignition. 

1. An internal combustion, rotary fuel burning engine comprising: a sealed engine housing enclosing said engine; a main shaft; a rotatable wheel housing fixed to said shaft for rotation therewith; a plurality of piston plates slidably supported within said rotatable wheel housing; a plurality of combustion chambers; means for compressing said fuel into said combustion chambers; reciprocating means for reciprocating said piston plates radially outwardly and inwardly of the axis of said wheel housing, wherein said reciprocating means comprises: a gear rack integral with each of said piston plates; a gear rotatably supported to said wheel housing; a cam follower attached to said gear; and a fixed cam having a cam groove adapted to receive said cam follower; a manifold intake valve disposed within said means for compressing said fuel; a combustion chamber intake valve communicating between said compressing means and said combustion chamber; a first means for sequentially operating said manifold intake valve; a second means for sequentially operating said combustion chamber intake valve; said first and second means for sequentially operating said intake valves comprise: a rotatable cam plate fixedly secured to said main shaft for rotation therewith; said first means including a bell crank operably connected to said manifold intake valve and said rotatable cam plate; said second means including a bell crank operably connected to said combustion intake valve and said rotatable cam plate; an arcuate piston cylinder, the upper portion thereof receiving said ignition means and the lower end thereof having an exhaust part therein; said arcuate piston cylinder having a first arcuate portion fixed to said rotary housing for rotation therewith, and a second arcuate portion being an integral stationary part of said engine housing; and operable means for operating said compressor means.
 2. An internal combustion, rotary engine as recited in claim 1 wherein saId operable means for said combustion chamber comprises: a first spur gear fixedly mounted to said main shaft for rotation therewith; a second spur gear positioned to operate with said first gear; a connecting rod; a sector gear operably connected to said second spur gear by said connecting rod to impart an oscillating movement to said sector gear; and a third spur gear fixed to said shaft of said compressor means whereby said compressor plate is sequentially oscillated back and forth within said compressor housing.
 3. An internal combustion, rotary engine as recited in claim 2, wherein said compressor means comprises: a spheroidal housing; an oscillating shaft centrally positioned therein; and a compressor plate fixedly secured to one side of said shaft for oscillation therewith; said plate having a semicircular configuration to match said spherical housing.
 4. An internal combustion, rotary engine as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said piston plates comprises: a generally rectangular flat plate, having a portion of the upper face adjacent the combustin chamber combustion downwardly and the outer free end thereof arcuately formed to fit said arcuate stationary portion of said piston cylinder.
 5. An internal combustion, rotary engine as recited in claim 4 wherein said piston plate includes: an arcuate sealing means disposed in said outer free end of said piston plate.
 6. An internal combustion rotary engine as recited in claim 5 wherein said combustion chamber is defined by the lower portion of said compressor means and said inclined face portion of said piston plate, whereby the fuel mixture is directly compressed therein prior to ignition. 